Metal Free Fillings

Mercury Free Dental Fillings

Silver fillings have been used in dentistry for well over 100 years. Unfortunately, they are more unsightly than the low-profile tooth colored fillings that are offered in modern dental offices today. The metal alloy in silver fillings also contains mercury. While approved by the FDA for use in dental restorations, many people are concerned about the mercury content in the silver filling. Our family dental office in Middletown, New Jersey provides mercury-free, tooth colored fillings to our patients.

A More Cosmetic, Minimally Invasive Approach to Dental Fillings

Tooth colored fillings are placed in a different method than silver fillings. Rather than removing more tooth structure in order to wedge the filling material into place, tooth colored fillings require only minimal tooth preparation. A composite filling is made to bond directly with the surface of the tooth. The result is a smooth restoration that blends in with the rest of the tooth anatomy.

When Are Fillings Necessary?

If tooth enamel becomes weak and decalcified, it can allow for tooth decay to occur. Usually decay is noticeable when there are symptoms of sweet, hot or cold sensitivity on a regular basis. Tooth decay does not reverse itself, and if left untreated can spread to the nerve of the tooth, or to adjacent teeth. Dr. McCabe believes that early intervention of active decay is the best way to prevent invasive, costly dental problems from occurring. A small, tooth colored filling performed early on in the stages of tooth decay can prevent a crown or root canal months down the road.

Replacement of Silver Fillings

If old, silver fillings show when you talk or laugh, it is possible for Dr. MaryBeth McCabe to replace them with a composite, tooth colored filling. Composite fillings help patients have more confidence in the appearance of their smile, and blend in with the tooth structure around them.